RMAF 2008 - Your impressions,...

'You are correct. Our room at the RMAF featured the Playback Design and other gear most folks have never heard. We did have a few people who came to our room and asked us to play their CD's. Most sounded just like you said. "like shit" '

I think a system is shit if the cd's sound like shit.IMHO.

'Digital can make any system sound like Sh-t. =8^)'

I disagree. There is at least one system I know that is an exception rather than a rule. Sadly not my own.

'The Playback CDP was the only one that sounded good at RMAF IMHO'.

Are you saying only 1 cd player sounded any good at the show? If so, are you 100% sure that none of the 'loudspeakers' were not to blame at all, maybe.?

I think I heard Apogees at last years show, very nice indeed.

I have heard one of the UK's most respected hi-fi reviewers personal system on more than one occasion and I must say it brought tears to a glass eye. I am now of the opinion after hearing his system that if any cd sounds bad then its not the cd but the ancillary equipment namely the speakers. The system sounded very uncanny and way way out of the norm.

Dave, I just can't believe that the only cd players worth their weight are ones that cost $10,000+ and that there are only three that make the grade. If your ears say so then, that's ok by me. I just know, to my ears there a plenty of much much cheaper cd players that sound excellent, the Arcam T192 for Instance.
I would love to hear your player if only to drool over a cd player that is for me unobtainable.

Shadorne; I have mentioned this before in other posts, the speakers since 1989 have been Impulse H1's made by the Same chap that makes the Aspara Acoustic speakers, the H1's have been (I believe) been modified a number of times over the years, but remain constant with the addition recently of the Townsend Ribbon tweeter, and two small Rel Q subs, all the other ancillaries I have no clue as to what was plugged it was like a treasure trove of exotica, and down to earth stuff also. I can only attest to quality of sound I was hearing whether it be any cd played or vinyl, simply music. In my old system I used to blame the cd's for sounding terrible, then as I said I heard this system and what it could do with cd's, I changed my point of view that if a cd sounds bad then its the speakers or other items in the chain. Only my view, but I have heard with my own ears.
I would wager (If I were a gambling man) that his systm with a middle of the road cd player like the Arcam 192T versus
say the VA Mahlers with a 10,000+ player this would be no contest, I have heard the Mahlers and they for instance are not in the same league H1's, to my ageing ears, all IMHO, naturally.
Interestingly Shardorne your Speakers cost $14,500 and your cd player cost $480, whereas Dcstep's Speakers cost $3,500 and his cd player cost $15,000. Two diverse schools of thought there in heading for hi-fi nirvana.

Dave sir, all the figures should be correct as I copied them from your 'system' as listed. 10k or 15k are still incredible amounts of wedge to pay for a cd player. Well out of my league by a huge stretch.
Anyone manufacturer should be able to make a cd player for $10,000 sound good, the art and skill is to do it for say a $1000.

Dave- are we not being a tad pedantic and frivolous?, but thanks for clearing that up with us, the whole Gawdbless household can now get back to a normal sleeping pattern, the dogs can rest more calmly now, the horse has had a good night also.lol. To clarify because you are being so defensive, I did say your gear cost x amount of $$$, I did not say YOU paid x amount of $$$.

Shadorne, where did you get Lindfield from? We maybe talking about the wrong speakers, if you can hear a pair of Impulse H1's (sold around 1989 in the UK)you'll be lucky as there were only 19 pairs made, to big and costly for many UK audiophiles, due to the average apartment, house size being rather small compared to the US. Hey you got a Roland V kit?,very nice. I got the older TD-8 kit (in storage), always wanted to play drums (to amuse ones self with headphones of course, connected to a cheap player like the Playback Designs MPS-5 with AC/DC being played, 'Thunderstruck'....).lol
Your kit is really nice though, I would love the TD20.
Funnily enough the reviewer chap really rates Sony cd players especially the cheaper ones, there was one that he said go and buy like now a few years back before they sell out it was a 761es European model, it sounded excellent way above its price, although probably not listenable to Dave's ears. I too like to hear a drum sound like a real drum if possible, I can forgive things in hi-fi speakers but I do like to hear the kick drum have a real kick.
Relax Dave its only hi-fi forum banter.Nothing personal.
I did check their website playback designs to see if there are any dealers local to me so I could go and have a listen for myself. If hi-fi gear gets praised, then I always want to hear for myself.I only comment of gear I have heard myself.

Dave; Its not a question of envy, everything has a value ie how much value is it worth to me?. If I wanted to buy a kit like Shadornes or the top of the range TD20, then I would purchase either one of them, I am not a drummer so It would be pointless spending money needlessly as I would not do either of them as much justice as a proper drummer, as I only bang a beat to amuse myself and pretend to be 'Moon the loon'. I do not envy anyone, like wise with hi-fi gear If I want something that badly then I will strive to get the money to purchase it, whether it be new or second hand.
I am sure your cd player is bringing out the best in your speakers, but are your speakers bringing out the best in your cd player? Just a thought.......no offence intended.

10-20-08: Sounds_real_audio
The CD's...Most that folks brought in not only did not highlight the capabilities of system. I think I only hear a couple that I would have used myself. I suppose that is to be expected.

I try to play music that actually breaths life into the performance.

'did not Highlight the capabilities of system'?, I think it highlighted the Incapabilities of the system.
Sounds rather Unreal Audio to me.
I certainly hope no-one got their check book out for a cd player that makes cd's sound bad.